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Captain Andre Ayew shared a few words with us, ahead of Thursday’s AFCON qualifying game against Sudan at Cape Coast Stadium.
The Swansea City striker last November led his players to sail to a 2-0 win against South Africa in the first match of Ghana’s Group C. The Black Stars beat São Tomé and Príncipe 1-0 in an away game to keep alive the hopes of qualifying for the 2021 African Cup of Nations.
In this interview, Andre Ayew has been discussing player engagement amid COVID-19, game preparation, Sudan quality, and playing in an empty stadium.
Read on for the full transcript:
On player engagement amid Covid-19
We are very proud to be here. I think it is a great honor to be called up to represent the national team and I am very satisfied with everyone’s reaction. We had problems with the last COVID-19 camp. Players who had it, it has been difficult for some clubs to let their players come and play for us. But I think we show that everyone is ready to play for the nation and knows what it means to wear the jersey, so I am very happy.
In preparation
It was not the best preparation because we did not have the full team early so that the coach could do what he wanted from the beginning. But now the squad is here, we have trained well, we are fit, hopefully there are no injuries and we are ready to go. We are at home and when we are at home, there is only one thing on our mind and that is adding the three points, so we are going to do everything possible to make that happen.
In Sudan, team dominated by local players
As the coach (CK) said, they have been together for a long time so they were able to build that attitude and spirit. But you know we have some of the seasoned players who are back. I think the spirit is great. I believe that the players have a goal and if we are 100% there is no reason why we should not get all three points and we will make sure the Ghanaians are proud and set foot in the next AFCON tournament.
In the force of the black stars
I think it is Unity. Now we have a lot of great teams in Africa that are good. From the big ones, Senegal, Cameroon, Algeria to the lowest names like Sudan, etc. Sudan is a team that I have faced before, I think we drew here in a very difficult game, Kumasi, so I know what Sudan is capable of. But we are Ghana. And when you wear the Ghana jersey, you have to deliver, especially at home, so we have a choice. We are going to make sure to get the three points so that that Unity and that love between us stays and improves with time. That is why we want more games, more camping so that we can get to know each other more and more and create that love between us.
On playing without fans
Soccer is a game for the people, so soccer without fans is a great thing because soccer is made for fans and we are here to entertain. Although it is very important entertainment, it has goals ahead of it, but it is also something that people love. So the fact that we don’t have fans is difficult, especially at home, when I know what we saw here last year. It was incredible, it was great, I loved playing in this stadium. I really wanted to play here again. But we don’t have to be too sad. I think everything has its time. This covid-19, I ask God to come out very soon so that everyone can start their normal life, not only in football but in everything we do. We are ready!
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